Our desert mecca welcomed a new member of our marine-life community in August when a bottlenose dolphin calf entered the world at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. The healthy newbie was born at 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 11 to first-time mama Sofi. No name for the newborn has yet been announced.

In a statement from The Mirage, the calf “has quickly taken to her surroundings, is nursing well and bonding with her mother as she closely follows Mom around the habitat,” adding that Sofi “is proving to be a fin-tastic mom.” Because dolphin calves are delicate through the first year of life, the habitat’s animal care staff is carefully monitoring the calf.

“The new calf is a welcome addition to our family and will serve as an adorable educational ambassador,” said David Blasko, director of animal care at The Mirage, in the same statement. “We invite guests to see the calf and discover how our conservation efforts today help preserve these beautiful animals in the wild for future generations to enjoy.” Sofi and the new addition to her family are in the birthing and research pool, which is open to public viewing.

Committed to educating guests about the environment, the Sustainability Discovery Center at The Mirage provides information on plastic pollution, marine debris, water facts and how daily decisions can greatly impact the world’s oceans and animal habitats.

For admission prices and hours of operation, call 702-791-7188 or visit Mirage.com.